Diving in Aqaba
Why dive here
Aqaba offers some of Jordan's richest diving, with 67+ marine species recorded in the area - including spinner dolphins and lionfish. Water ranges 20-27°C, warmest July, August, September.
Aqaba diving often gets overshadowed by its flashier Red Sea neighbours, but we think that’s a mistake. This stretch of Jordanian coastline packs a serious punch, especially when it comes to wrecks and easy reef access. We've spent weeks here, and our favourite spots consistently deliver the goods, whether you're finning over the soft corals of the Japanese Garden or exploring the sunken M42 tank. The Red Sea’s warm embrace is constant here, with visibility typically stretching 20-30 meters. What we really love are the details: the playful Anklet Cardinalfish darting through whip corals, the bold Marbled Spinefoot cruising the reef edge, and those surprisingly common Bigeye Houndsharks in the deeper sections. The Cedar Pride wreck is, of course, the star - a fantastically intact freighter now draped in hard and soft corals, home to schools of Doublebar Bream. Get there early to avoid the crowds, and descend into the engine room for that truly eerie, quiet feeling. Currents are generally mild, making it a relaxed experience even for newer divers, though we’ve seen some brisk surface chop in winter. Look out for the resident Lionfish, they’re everywhere.
Aqaba Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Aqaba
Aqaba Dive Sites
19 dive sites in Aqaba
Canyon Dekel South - קניון חוף הדקל
Canyon Dekel South is a decent intermediate dive if you're looking for something a bit different in Aqaba. It’s not a deep dive, topping out around 22 meters, but it’s the canyon itself that draws you in. You’ll be navigating through some tight squeezes, keeping an eye out for lionfish tucked into crevices and the occasional moray eel peering out. It’s a good option for divers who appreciate a bit of overhead environment without going full cave. Just make sure your buoyancy is dialed in; some sections are narrower than you might expect.
Cedar Pride
The Cedar Pride is one of those wrecks that just gets better every time we visit. Sunk deliberately back in 1985, this cargo ship now lies split in two, making for some dramatic swim-throughs and interesting angles as you explore. We love finning along the main deck, watching schools of crescent grunters drift past, or poking into the cargo holds where the light filters down, revealing starflower coral clinging to the steel. What makes it a standout for us is how completely the marine life has embraced it. Lionfish always seem to be lurking in the shadows, and you’ll spot Arabian blennies peeking out from every crevice. We’d suggest focusing on the mid-section where the ship broke – it’s a brilliant spot for macro, with tiny nudibranchs and small giant clams tucked into the nooks. Currents here are usually gentle, making it a relaxed dive for anyone comfortable with wrecks.
Katza Eilat קצאא אילת
Katza Eilat sits at a comfortable 18m, making it a good choice for newer divers finding their fins. The main draw here is a small, relatively flat reef area, home to some of the usual Red Sea suspects like parrotfish and small groups of damselfish. It’s a relaxed dive, good for getting re-acclimated to the water or practicing skills without strong currents to worry about. We'd suggest it for those looking for an easy, undemanding dive.
Marina Divers
Marina Divers in Aqaba offers a genuinely delightful shore dive, and it’s one we always recommend for a relaxed afternoon. You’ll suit up right on the beach, wade in, and descend into a gentle, sloping sandy bottom where the reef begins to unfold. We love it for its sheer variety of smaller, often overlooked creatures. Keep your eyes peeled for those Double-ended Pipefish swaying gently in the current, and you’ll spot Arabian Blennies darting between the rocks. It’s perfect for macro enthusiasts and photographers wanting to take their time without battling strong currents. Visibility is generally good, often around 15-20 metres, giving you plenty of light to appreciate the Starflower corals. Our favourite trick here is to go slow, really slow, and let the small stuff reveal itself. We’ve had incredible luck finding Lyretail Angelfish hiding in crevices and even spotted Bridled Dolphins offshore on a few occasions – though that’s definitely a stroke of luck. It’s an easy, rewarding dive, ideal for shaking off travel fatigue or just enjoying a calm swim through a bustling, miniature ecosystem.
Migdalor Beach חוף המגדלור
Migdalor Beach is a gentle shore dive, ideal for those new to the Red Sea. Dropping to a maximum of 14 metres, it's a calm spot to get comfortable in the water. You'll find a scattering of soft corals and anemones, often hosting clownfish. It's a straightforward dive, good for checkouts or a relaxed afternoon exploring the shallows.
Mosh Beach, Eilat - החוף של מוש
Mosh Beach in Aqaba is a mellow shore dive, perfect if you're just getting your fins wet or prefer a relaxed afternoon under the surface. The entry is sandy and easy, leading you out to a gentle slope where the corals start to pepper the seafloor around 5-6 meters. We often spot lionfish tucked into small rocky outcrops and plenty of those busy damselfish darting amongst the soft corals. It's a consistently calm spot, rarely any real current to speak of, so you can take your time exploring the 16-meter maximum depth.
Neptune Table - שולחנות נפטון
Neptune Table, or Shulchanot Neptune, is a relaxed dive in Aqaba that lives up to its name. You’ll find several large, flat coral formations, like underwater picnic tables, dotted across a sandy slope. These table corals are magnets for smaller reef fish – think inquisitive damselfish, darting fusiliers, and we’ve often spotted lionfish tucked underneath, waiting. It’s a gentle drift, typically, making it a good choice for newer divers or those looking for a tranquil afternoon cruise after something a bit more demanding. Stick to the top of the tables for the best light and activity.
Power Station, Aqaba
The Power Station site in Aqaba offers a straightforward dive, popular with training groups and those looking for a relaxed afternoon dip. A gently sloping sand and rubble bottom leads to scattered coral heads, home to pipefish, lionfish, and the occasional turtle. It’s a good spot for buoyancy practice or a casual critter hunt, maxing out at about 23 meters. We find it’s best when you're after an easy dive without strong currents.
Pyramid - פרמידה
The Pyramid is a solid intermediate dive in Aqaba. We found it a good drift, dropping to around 23 meters onto a pyramid-shaped coral formation, hence the name. It’s mostly hard corals, with the usual Red Sea suspects like angelfish and parrotfish flitting about. A decent second dive, perhaps, but not one we’d rush back to specifically.
Sun boat and amphibian vehicles סנבואט והכלים האמפיביים
The Sun Boat and Amphibian Vehicles site in Aqaba offers a nice, relaxed wreck dive. Dropping down, you’ll find a small patrol boat and a handful of amphibian vehicles, including a couple of military jeeps, all sitting upright at around 17 metres. It’s shallow enough for good bottom time, giving you plenty of opportunity to poke around the wheelhouse or peer into the empty cabins. Keep an eye out for resident lionfish sheltering under ledges and small groups of angelfish picking at the coral growth that's started to encrust the metal. This site is great for intermediate divers looking for an easy multi-wreck exploration without deep-diving complexity.
Tamar Eilat - שונית תמר
Tamar Eilat, or Shunit Tamar as it's sometimes known, is a very pleasant, shallow dive right off the beach in Aqaba. At just 11 meters, it’s ideal for newer divers or anyone looking for a relaxed second dive. You’ll find a surprising number of smaller reef fish here, often darting between the hard and soft corals that make up the reef. We've seen lionfish tucked into crevices and parrotfish grazing away, occasionally even a moray eel peeking out. It's an easy entry, easy exit, and a generally low-current spot, making it a great place to simply observe without having to fight any conditions.
The Border Line, Eilat - מעבר גבול
We’ve all heard of it, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like – a dive right along the maritime border between Jordan and Israel. At only 15 meters deep, it's not about the depth here, but the drift. You'll need an expert understanding of currents because they can be fickle, pulling you one way then another without much warning. Look out for schools of barracuda cruising in the blue, and we’ve often spotted some impressive Napoleon wrasse making their rounds. It’s a unique badge of honor for those who like their diving with a side of geopolitical quirk.
Aqaba Dive Centres
17 dive shops and operators in Aqaba
Ocean Wildlife in Aqaba
67 species recorded in Aqaba
Aqaba Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Aqaba, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:14
Sunset
18:13
Daylight
12h 59m
Golden Hour
17:41
First light (dawn) at 04:49 · Last light (dusk) at 18:38
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:37 | 17:04 | 10h 27m |
| Feb | 06:21 | 17:30 | 11h 9m |
| Mar | 05:51 | 17:49 | 11h 58m |
| Apr | 05:15 | 18:07 | 12h 52m |
| May | 04:49 | 18:26 | 13h 37m |
| JunLongest | 04:41 | 18:42 | 14h 1m |
| Jul | 04:51 | 18:43 | 13h 52m |
| AugNow | 05:09 | 18:22 | 13h 14m |
| Sep | 05:26 | 17:47 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 05:42 | 17:11 | 11h 29m |
| Nov | 06:05 | 16:46 | 10h 41m |
| DecShortest | 06:28 | 16:44 | 10h 16m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Aqaba.
Where to Stay near Aqaba
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Marine Protected Areas near Aqaba
1 protected area near Aqaba - please respect local regulations when diving
محمية العقبة البحرية
Getting to Aqaba
Aqaba
Eilat
Sharm El Sheikh
Book a dive trip in Aqaba
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking